David Baker

Broschiertes Buch

Us Air Power 1945-1990

Volume 1 - Us Fighters and Fighter-Bombers, 1945-1949

Beschreibung

Examines the early Cold War development of the USAF's jet fighters and fighter-bombers, detailing political, industrial, and technological challenges and innovations. In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, the air forces of the United States faced unprecedented challenges. Demobilization had stripped the armed forces of millions of personnel, while the rapid transition from a wartime economy strained the aviation industry at the same time as the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) was re-established as the independent US Air Force (USAF). US Air Power 1945-1990 Volume 1: US Fighters and Fighter-Bombers 1945-1949 examines this pivotal period, analyzing the first steps the USAF took to re-establish its dominance in the skies during the early Cold War era. This volume meticulously documents the political, industrial, and technical decisions that shaped the development of the USAF's early jet fighters and fighter-bombers. It covers the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to first-generation jet designs, showcasing the radical innovations and experimental prototypes that laid the foundation for future air power. Readers will find detailed descriptions of key aircraft such as the P-80 Shooting Star, the F-86 Sabre, and the F-84 Thunderjet, which became operational despite the severe budget constraints and strategic uncertainties of the time. Author David Baker brings to light the untold stories behind these aircraft. He provides an integrated narrative that goes beyond mere type histories, weaving together the political backdrop, industrial struggles, and technological advancements that influenced the design and deployment of these pioneering jets. This approach offers a comprehensive view of how the USAF navigated the post-war landscape to emerge as a formidable force by 1949. The book also includes an appendix detailing speculative projects that never reached production, such as the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin 'parasite fighter', Convair XF-92 delta-wing interceptor and many others, alongside tables listing the performance characteristics of both operational and experimental aircraft from this era. These sections offer invaluable insights into the 'what ifs' of aviation history, showing how alternative designs might have shaped air combat strategies differently. The first in an extensive series of volumes, each exploring different facets of US air power during the Cold War, subsequent titles will cover bombers, naval aviation, and the evolving roles of fighters and bombers through conflicts such as the Korean and Vietnam wars. Each volume will maintain a focus on the technical and engineering aspects that defined these aircraft, rather than operational histories alone. Extensively illustrated, including rare photographs and specially-commissioned color artwork, this book provides a thorough and engaging exploration of a transformative period in US air power history.

Autor

With a background in the aviation and space industry, working with companies and government organisations in the UK and the USA, David Baker has made a lifelong study of aeronautical and aerospace projects to inform his research into the men and the machines of flight and flying. He has written more than 100 books and since the 1990s has served as editor for Horizon, the house magazine for Smiths Industries, for Janes Information Group on two yearbooks, on Aviation News and on SpaceFlight, the monthly magazine of the British Interplanetary Society. David had experience working with NASA and managing his aerospace consulting company from offices in London and in Trenton, New Jersey, visiting many countries around the world to advise governments and organisations on aeronautical and aerospace programmes. In the 1980s, David was made a voting member of the International Academy of Astronautics and received the 1998 Rolls-Royce Award for the 'Best Propulsion Submission', a category within the RAeS Aerospace Journalist of the Year awards. He is also the recipient of the Arthur C Clarke Award and of the American Astronautical Society's Frederick I Ordway III award for 'sustained excellence in space coverage, through books and articles, as well as engagement in the early US space program', presented at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. David lives with his wife Ann in East Sussex.

Produktdetails

• Technology@War
• Verlag: Helion & Company
• Seitenzahl: 92
• Erscheinungstermin: 10. Oktober 2024
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 291mm x 211mm x 5mm
• Gewicht: 362g
• ISBN-13: 9781804513750
• ISBN-10: 180451375X
• Artikelnr.: 67788750